Governor Patrick has from his first days in office directed that all transportation agencies and authorities work together and find opportunities for streamlining and operating more efficiently.

In keeping with that reform agenda, I am announcing a new directive that will apply across all transportation agencies and authorities to improve coordination and consistency of Massachusetts Environment Policy Act (MEPA) project filings.

The MEPA environmental review process is a critically important and transparent part of transportation projects. We are establishing an efficient and consistent procedure for review and comment by Executive Office of Transportation on all MEPA filings by the transportation agencies and authorities.

This policy will allow EOT to better implement its statutory role as the principal state agency for transportation planning and its responsibility to develop policies and programs for all agencies and authorities with the Executive Office. By reviewing and commenting on draft MEPA filings prior to submission, EOT will improve coordination and consultation among transportation agencies and authorities.

This is but one example of how we must put an end to the old, balkanized way of doing things and identify new solutions that will improve our ability to deliver a modern transportation system for the future.